Safe transport and storage of energy storage devices

Abstract

A method of transporting at least one energy storage device comprising the step of housing at least one energy storage device in a cassette comprising: a hollow casing for receiving at least one energy storage device; a top cap assembly received at one end of the hollow casing and an end cap assembly received at another end of the hollow casing; electronic circuitry housed within the end cap assembly, the electronic circuitry comprising at least one receptacle associated with each of the at least one energy storage devices, the at least one receptacle being reversibly mateable with at least one plug associated with an external device such that the cassette is received by the external in a first orientation and a second orientation; and electrically isolating the at least one energy storage devices from each other by individually coupling the at least one energy storage device to the electronic circuitry.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A cassette for housing at least one energy storage device, the cassette comprising:
 a hollow longitudinal casing for receiving at least one energy storage device; 
 a top cap assembly received at one end of the hollow longitudinal casing and an end cap assembly received at another end of the hollow longitudinal casing; 
 electronic circuitry housed within the end cap assembly, the electronic circuitry comprising at least one receptacle associated with each of the at least one energy devices, the at least one receptacle mateable with at least one plug associated with an external device; wherein the at least one energy storage device is individually coupled to the electronic circuitry and electrically isolated from other at least one energy storage devices; and wherein the at least one receptacle comprises a first plurality of receptacle metallic contacts and a second plurality of receptacle metallic contacts, such that the cassette is coupled to the external device in a first orientation via the first plurality of receptacle metallic contacts, or in a second orientation via the second plurality of receptacle metallic contacts, such that the cassette is reversibly received in the external device; 
 opposed channel rails disposed on the hollow casing; 
 wherein the channel rails are received by alignment channels associated with the external device, such that the cassette is urged along the alignment channels until the at least one receptacle engages the at least one plug for electrical connectivity; and 
 wherein each of the at least one energy storage devices is rated below a predetermined regulatory rating for safe transportation and complies with at least one regulation pertaining to the transport of dangerous goods, and the cassette housing a plurality of the at least one energy storage devices which are isolated from each other complies with the at least one regulation pertaining to the transport of dangerous goods. 
 
     
     
       2. The cassette of  claim 1 , wherein the cassette is received by a bay associated with the external device, wherein the bay comprises an opening, side walls and a bottom wall opposite the opening; and wherein the bottom wall comprises at least one magnet. 
     
     
       3. The cassette of  claim 2 , wherein the end cap assembly comprises a metal plate which is attracted by the at least one magnet when the cassette is received by the bay, whereby the at least one magnet pulls and holds the cassette in place to facilitate alignment between the at least one receptable and the at least one plug for electrical connectivity. 
     
     
       4. The cassette of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one magnet is disposed adjacent the bottom wall at a predetermined depth, wherein the predetermined depth is adjustable to control the magnetic force exerted by the at least one magnet on the metal plate. 
     
     
       5. The cassette of  claim 2 , wherein the bay comprises opposed resilient members disposed on at least two side walls of the bay such that when cassette is inserted into the cavity the opposed resilient members engage the hollow casing for controlled travel of the cassette until the at least one receptable engages the at least one plug for electrical connectivity. 
     
     
       6. The cassette of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one energy storage device is coupled to the external device in at least one of a horizontal orientation, a vertical orientation and a diagonal orientation. 
     
     
       7. The cassette of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic circuitry comprises a thermal sensor associated with the at least one energy storage device. 
     
     
       8. The cassette of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic circuitry comprises a unique identifier stored in at least one memory, wherein the unique identifier is associated with the cassette and the at least one energy storage device. 
     
     
       9. The cassette of  claim 1 , comprising a battery monitoring system comprising a communication interface for exchanging information with a receiver board associated with the external device, wherein the information comprises any one of battery type, model number, manufacturer, characteristics, charge/discharge rate, predicted remaining capacity, an almost-discharged alarm, temperature and voltage, and commands. 
     
     
       10. The cassette of  claim 1 , wherein the external device is one of a charging cart assembly, host equipment, and a rack. 
     
     
       11. The cassette of  claim 1 , further comprising an upper longitudinal protective tray element and an upper longitudinal protective tray element with a lower longitudinal base; whereby each of the upper longitudinal protective tray element and the lower longitudinal protective tray element receive the at least one energy storage device;
 at least one first shock absorbent end-pad abutting one end of the at least one energy storage device and at least one second shock absorbent end-pad abutting another end of the at least energy storage device; 
 at least one divider board abutting the at least one second shock absorbent end-pad; 
 at least one side shock absorbent pad positioned between at least one side of the least one energy storage device and an interior wall of the hollow casing. 
 
     
     
       12. The cassette of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one energy storage device comprises any battery cell chemistry. 
     
     
       13. The cassette of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one regulation pertaining to the transport of dangerous goods is Class 9 of at least one of United Nations UN3480 and UN3481 assigned by the United Nations Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. 
     
     
       14. The cassette of  claim 13 , wherein each of the at least one energy storage devices is less than 100 watt hours (Wh). 
     
     
       15. A method of transporting at least one energy storage device, the method comprising the steps of:
 housing at least one energy storage device in a cassette comprising:
 a hollow casing for receiving at least one energy storage device; 
 a top cap assembly received at one end of the hollow casing and an end cap assembly received at another end of the hollow casing; 
 electronic circuitry housed within the end cap assembly, the electronic circuitry comprising at least one receptacle associated with each of the at least one energy sources, the at least one receptacle mateable with at least one plug associated with an external device; 
 opposed channel rails disposed on the hollow casing; 
 
 wherein the channel rails are received by alignment channels associated with the external device, such that the cassette is urged along the alignment channels until the at least one receptacle engages the at least one plug for electrical connectivity;
 the at least one receptacle comprising a plurality of receptacle metallic contacts and a plurality of plug metallic contacts, such that the cassette is coupled to the external device in a first orientation via the plurality of receptacle metallic contacts, or in a second orientation via the plurality of plug metallic contacts, such that the cassette is reversibly received in the external device; 
 
 electrically isolating the at least one energy storage device from other at least one energy storage devices by individually coupling the at least one energy storage device to the electronic circuitry; 
 wherein the cassette is received by a bay associated with the external device, wherein the bay comprises an opening, side walls and a bottom wall opposite the opening; 
 wherein the bottom wall comprises at least one magnet; and 
 wherein each of the at least one energy storage devices is rated below a predetermined regulatory rating for safe transportation and complies with at least one regulation pertaining to the transport of dangerous goods, and the cassette housing a plurality of the at least one energy storage devices which are isolated from each other complies with the at least one regulation pertaining to the transport of dangerous goods. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the bay comprises opposed resilient members disposed on at least two side walls of the bay such that when cassette is inserted into the cavity the opposed resilient members engage the hollow casing for controlled travel of the cassette until the at least one receptable engages the at least one plug for electrical connectivity. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one energy storage device is coupled to the external device in at least one of a horizontal orientation, a vertical orientation and a diagonal orientation.